Page 19 of The Keeper

“You would be incorrect.”

He moved closer, putting one arm over my shoulders. “Am I? I think you like this little game.”

I had to force myself not to melt into him. Everything about him made me dizzy and clouded my judgement.

“And what if I do? Like this game, I mean,” I whispered.

Xavier’s eyes burned with promises of pleasures beyond my wildest expectations. He leaned forward and captured my lower lip between his teeth, gently nibbling at it while stroking his tongue on it. Then he pinched it hard between his teeth for a brief moment. So brief but so sharp and filled with unexpected pleasure. I gasped. The silkiness of his tongue soothed my lip before he kissed me.

What was it Dawn said about this guy the other night? Oh right. Watch out for this one. He’s a charmer.

Sorry Dawn. You would also be incorrect. Charm alone would never be enough to dismantle my resistance. What Xavier possessed was a lethal combination of charm and next-level seduction tactics.

And judging by the wicked gleam in his eyes, he knew it.

“My offer is still good,” he said with a grin.

“Which one? You’ve made several.”

Instead of answering, he stood up, clasped my hand in his and led me to the spiral staircase. We walked back down to ground level, rejoining the crowd with ease. I smiled at some of the Daniels and Steves, or was it the Richards? Boisterous laughter echoed from a group to our left.

“Maddox.” Cade made an X over his chest with his arms and shouted, “Royal City unite!”

I glanced up at Xavier in time to catch his mouth lift in an easy, familiar smile that accentuated his dimple. He squeezed my hand, then let it go to join his teammate. Their undeniable bond reminded me of the players back home.

“These two never miss a chance to shine in the spotlight,” Bennet said, standing next to me. “Are you in London for a while? I’d love to have you visit the stadium, see the facilities, maybe watch a training session.”

“I leave on Wednesday, so I’ll have to see when I can squeeze in a field trip. That’s generous of you to offer. Thank you.”

“I’ll have my assistant reach out to you, if that’s alright. I’ll just need a phone number or email, whichever is easier.”

“There are these great little things called business cards.” I grinned, reaching in my clutch for one and handing it to Bennet. “They’re small but hold a wealth of information.”

“Does everyone in the class get one?” Cade rejoined us and draped his arm over my shoulders. “I mean, we’re all mates now, so it’s only fair.”

“You wouldn’t know what to do with it, Gallagher,” Xavier chimed in.

There was a crackling in the air when I met his icy blue gaze, a sense of anticipation not unlike the loaded silence between a flash of lightning and the boom of thunder. The mischievous grin on his face didn’t help. It took all of my willpower not to lunge at him, kiss him senseless and strip him naked.

“I beg to differ.” Cade lifted his chin in defiance. “You meeting me on the pitch tomorrow?”

“I’ll be there.”

“You better be. Your goal tending skills are shit these days.”

“How would you know? When’s the last time a ball off your foot saw the back of a net?”

“Oh, it’s on pretty boy.” Cade threw a couple fake punches against his teammate’s chest. “C’mon. Time to hit the clubs.”

“I’ll pass, thanks.”

Bennet lifted his hands in mock retreat and shook his head. “You’re on your own. But I better not see any headlines when I wake up in the morning.”

“You lot have such little faith in me.” Cade turned in my direction. “Lovely meeting you. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do with this one.” The self-proclaimed renowned striker pointed at Xavier and left with a flourish.

“That guy is a living, breathing TMZ headline.” Bennet shook his head.

“Aren’t we all,” Xavier muttered.

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